Issues

Immigration

About This Issue

An arrest or juvenile court involvement may trigger immigration consequences for youth, including detention and deportation. It is critical to consider immigration consequences on every case and consult with an immigration attorney if you think your client could be at risk for immigration consequences and/or eligible for immigration relief.

On this page, we're compiling information and resources to assist youth defenders and advocates navigate these complicated and shifting challenges. You must be logged in as a registered youth defender to access some of the resources on this page. Please log in or register for an account.

If you have motions, briefs, or other resources that could be helpful to other youth defenders and advocates, please send them to us at inquiries@defendyouthrights.org.

Gault Center Resources

Guidance for Youth Defenders

A Common-Law Privilege To Protect State and Local Courts During the Crimmigration Crisis

After Week 1: Updates and FAQs (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)

B.R. v. Garland (9th Circuit)

Children’s Immigration Law Academy Pro Bono Guide

Cultural Competency and Humility when Representing UCs

Demystifying Removal Proceedings (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)

Deportation Defense Manual

Expedited Removal Toolkit: A Guide for Advocates Assisting People Facing Expanded Expedited Removal

Family Attorneys, How to Advise Immigrant Clients on ICE in the Courts

ICE Detainers in State Court (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)

Immigration Enforcement Update: Immigration Related Executive Orders (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)

KIND Immigration Consequences of Delinquency and Crimes

Overview of Seeking SIJS Findings in Juvenile Court

Practice Advisory: The Laken Riley Act’s Mandatory Detention Provisions

Practicing Trauma-Informed Care in Client Meetings

Quick Reference Chart on the Immigration Consequences of Delinquency

The 21st Birthday Eligibility Cutoff for SIJS: USCIS Policy and the Risks of Applying On or After the 21st Birthday

The Laken Riley Act & Juvenile Delinquency

The Law and Lawlessness of U.S. Immigration Detention

The Road to Slow Deportation

Tips for Working with Migrant Children and Trauma-Informed Lawyering

What are the Immigration Consequences of Delinquency?

What Is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)?

Know Your Rights and Community Resources

#CommunitiesNotCages: Toolkit to Fight Detention and Deportations

Checklist: Sharing Videos of Immigration Enforcement

Community Explainer: Laken Riley Act (National Immigration Project)

Confronting Discrimination Based on National Origin and Immigration Status

Family Preparedness Plan (KIND)

Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

Fourth Amendment Toolkit for Organizations

How Can Age Affect my Immigration Relief Options?

Immigration Arrests & Raids: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Rights

Know Your Rights Cards (CLINIC)

Know Your Rights Cards: How to Use (CLINIC)

Know Your Rights flyers (CLINIC)

Know Your Rights flyers (KIND)

Know Your Rights When Interacting with Immigration Officers (ICE) (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights)

Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Home (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Work Place (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

Know Your Rights: If ICE Stops You in Public (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Questioned, Arrested or Detained by Immigration and Other Law Enforcement (National Immigration Law Center)

Legal Service Provider List for Unaccompanied Children (Office of Refugee Resettlement)

Legal Service Provider List for Unaccompanied Children (Texas)

Lessons from East Tennessee: A Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Worksite Immigration Raids

Protecting Access to Education for Migratory Children

Real or Rumor: How to Verify Online Reports of ICE Raids

Red Cards (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Red Cards: How to Use (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan

Stop and Identify Statutes in the United States

The Rights of Immigrants in Family Court (New York State Family Court)

Using Your #RightToRecord Immigration Enforcement

Week 1 Under Donald Trump 2.0 (National Immigration Project)

Your Rights in an Immigration Interview While in Massachusetts Jails or Prisons (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)

Youth Rights Walletcard (KIND)

Guidance for Other Professionals

10 Strategies for how Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids

ABA CILA Fact Sheet: Unaccompanied Children at the Border

ACLU Ohio Letter to School Officials re: Immigrant Student Rights

ACLU Press Release: Why Participation in ICE’s 287(g) Agreements and Detention Contracts Will Hurt the People You Serve and Protect

CPS Guidelines for Responding if a Student Is Stranded Due to ICE Detention of Parents or Guardians (Chicago)

Dear Colleague Letter- School Enrollment Procedures

Derivative Citizenship- Lawful Permanent Resident Children Gaining Citizenship Through Parents’ Citizenship

End School Pushout for Black Girls and Other Girls of Color

FAQ on 8 USC § 1373 and Federal Funding Threats to “Sanctuary Cities”: Explanation of What 8 USC § 1373 Actually Requires

FAQs on Immigration & Enforcement Policy in 2025 (The School Superintendents Association)

Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement

Immigration Enforcement Actions at Maryland Schools

Newcomer Immigrant Youth in Juvenile Justice Court Proceedings: A Trauma-Informed Approach

Protecting Immigrant Students Action Kit

Setting the Record Straight About Sanctuary Policies: A Response to Threats Against Sanctuary Cities (National Immigration Project)

Six Amendments to The Immigration and Nationality Act Made by the Laken Riley Act

Stronger Together

The Immigration Subpoena Power

The Inappropriate Use of Juvenile Records in Immigration Discretion

What to Do if Immigration/ICE Arrives at Law Clinics